Images: Nicki Coertze/Caters News
Well, that’s something you don’t see every day! A pink elephant calf was spotted in a herd in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Believed to be albino, this sweet male was seen playing by the watering hole with the rest of his family.
The calf was seen by Nicki Coertze while he was on safari with her family in Shingwedzi.
He told Caters News Agency, “We were watching the elephants drinking at the Shingwedzi River when we noticed the albino elephant calf. I have been visiting Kruger since my early childhood. I have never seen an albino elephant before… I have an idea that this is a once in a lifetime sighting for me.”
He also mentioned that the herd accepted the calf without hesitation despite his pink coloration.
Albinism is extremely rare in African elephants, and unfortunately makes it more difficult to survive in the wild. He will likely have trouble blending in to hide from predators, and the harsh African sun may be damaging to his light skin. Another common problem in albino animals is blindness; because their eyes are so sensitive to light, they often lose their sight as they age.
What a sighting! We hope this adorable youngster is able to thrive despite the circumstances.
Click here to check out some of the most amazing albino animals ever caught on camera.
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